Advice for Flying with Pre-Made Vacation Meals?

Q: I read your article about what foods you can take on an airplane, and that was most helpful! I am flying from San Diego to Portland, where we will be driving to a cabin to go snowboarding for three days. I know that we will have a full kitchen at our disposal, so I would like to pack some food to bring with my in my checked luggage.

What are your feelings on freezing certain meals (like meatballs, lasagna, baked mac and cheese), packing them, and reheating them after the flight? I am planning to freeze them, put them in airtight containers, and pack them in an insulated bag. Do you have any suggestions as to recipes that are travel-friendly or packing tips?

Sent by Jackie

Editor: Wow! This idea is really intriguing! At first, we thought freezing food and taking it in your checked luggage would just be an invitation to food poisoning. But then again, we're pretty sure the luggage compartments of airplanes aren't heated, so your food would likely stay pretty well frozen while in flight. Provided your drive to the cabin isn't too long, this plan might just work.

If you'd rather not risk it, you can always take a bunch of dried goods with you in your luggage. Beans and rice would travel well, as would certain vegetables like squashes and potatoes. And since you're flying into Portland, there's bound to be a grocery store en route to your cabin.

Emma is the recipe editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer (Spring 2015). Check out her personal blog for more cooking stories.